I SYMPATHISE with the fears of Cassandra Lemarr that our democratic system will fail to protect us from threats posed by the environment (Letters, Jan 1).

A true democracy has the inherent flaw that its politicians cannot take action to deal with a foreseeable problem - it has to have happened and be clearly visible before any-thing is done.

In theory we would be better served by a benevolent dictator with a genuine desire to protect us from environmental damage.

But it will never work in practice because unelected, single-party rule takes no account of the weaknesses of human nature. Anyone who speaks against the state is at best imprisoned or, at worst, killed.

We have the best political system in the world because it allows us to voice our criticisms without fear of reprisal. The fault is not in our rulers but in ourselves.

When we are prepared to sacrifice some of our creature comforts and convenience to save the planet then we can demand that our Government is pro-active too.

Thomas P Mawson, Brindle Close, Lancaster.